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  Oral care implementUSPTO Application #: 20070119010Title: Oral care implement Abstract: An oral care implement has an improved handle for control. The handle may include a gripping region having a grip surface with a plurality of spaced slot openings exposing portions of the base. In one construction, the handle may have an inclined portion and a grip body extending through a base of the handle. The grip body forms opposite finger grips on the inclined portion of the handle. In one construction, the handle may include a grip element which provides shifting of a mass centroid of the handle during use. In another construction, the handle includes a resilient grip body and the handle includes an aperture extend through the handle. Aperture has an inclined surface for engaging a resilient grip body. (end of abstract) Agent: Colgate-palmolive Company - Piscataway, NJ, US Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Michael Charles Rooney, Luca Casini, Jacob Pringiers USPTO Applicaton #: 20070119010 - Class: 015143100 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Brushing, Scrubbing, And General Cleaning, Implements, Particular Handle The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070119010. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/902,257, filed Jul. 30, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of PCT/US03/02949, filed Jul. 28, 2005 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/412,290, filed Sep. 20, 2002. This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/189,729, filed Sep. 10, 2003. The contents of the above-noted applications are each expressly incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally pertains to an oral care implement, and in particular, to an implement with an improved handle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Oral care implements, especially toothbrushes, are used by many people on a daily basis. With such devices, a handle is usually provided to be grasped and manipulated by the user as needed. However, many handles are simply linear rods of relatively rigid material which are neither comfortable nor given to easy manipulation. Further, use of an oral care implement may commonly occur under wet conditions, which can cause the handle to be slippery. Accordingly, there is a need for an oral care implement that provides for improved control and greater comfort for the user. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The invention pertains to an oral care implement with an improved handle that provides greater comfort and improved control during use. [0005] In one aspect of the invention, the handle includes a gripping region formed by a grip member having a plurality of spaced openings that expose portions of an underlying base. In a preferred embodiment, the grip member is an elastomer and the exposed base portions are recessed in the slots. This construction provides a reliable, slip-resistant and comfortable portion to be grasped. [0006] In one other aspect of the invention, the handle has a resilient grip body that extends through the handle to be gripped by the user's finger and thumb. In a preferred embodiment, the grip body is fit into a large opening in a base where the mass of the grip body can be shifted by pressure on either side for greater comfort and control, and to dampen the pressure applied by the brush. Moreover, the grip body also preferably includes a friction surface to resist slippage. [0007] In one other aspect of the invention, the handle includes an inclined segment that offsets the head of the implement relative to a palm gripping region for better control and manipulation of the toothbrush or other implement. A grip body is preferably positioned along the inclined segment to further enhance the comfort and control felt by the user. [0008] In another aspect of the invention, the handle includes a large aperture into which a resilient grip body is stably fixed. The aperture has a sidewall geometry shaped for securely engaging the resilient grip body while facilitating an easy molding process. In a preferred construction, the sidewall geometry includes at least one inclined surface which defines a narrowed portion of the aperture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] A more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of an oral care implement according to one or more aspects of an illustrative embodiment; [0011] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the oral care implement of FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of the oral care implement of FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of the oral care implement of FIG. 1; [0014] FIG. 5 is a section view of the oral care implement taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3; [0015] FIG. 6 is a partial side view of a base of an oral care implement of FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 7 is a partial front view of the base of FIG. 6; [0017] FIG. 8 is a top axial view of the oral care implement of FIG. 1; and [0018] FIG. 9 is a bottom axial view of the oral care implement of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Continue reading... Full patent description for Oral care implement Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Oral care implement patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Oral care implement or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Mop with insert Next Patent Application: Extensible cleaning utensil Industry Class: Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Oral care implement patent info. 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